What does Greater Sudbury's reaction to Industry Minister Tony Clement's comment that the city was destined to become a "Valley of Death," had it not been purchased by Brazilian firm Vale S. A. say about Sudburians?

Are we too defensive? Can we turn the other cheek? Are we still burdened by that northern inferiority complex?

Not necessarily. We're actually in pretty good company when it comes to fending off perceived slights.

Clement has since backtracked -- sort of -- from his remarks, calling them "bone-headed," but even that only came about after local politicians and some Conservatives declared their indignation. The "Valley of Death" comment didn't quite go viral, but it was on the verge of it before Clement surrendered.

Some thought the city and media overreacted, but there are legions of examples of communities throwing down the gauntlet after feeling insulted.

Years ago, actor Alan Thicke, a native of Kirkland Lake, was chastised by then mayor Joe Mavrinac after the comedian used the town's rough-and-tumble image as the butt of a joke. This caused Thicke to wax on about how he loved his memories about the town as a lad.

In 2004, clothing maker Abercrombie and Fitch created a T-Shirt with the saying, "It's all relative in West Virginia," which got that state all in a state, since it was trying to dispel the image that people of that state are all, well, relatives. The governor of the time, Bob Wise, insisted A and F stop selling the shirts, calling it an "an unfounded, negative stereotype" of the state. He demanded that "these shirts must be destroyed at once to avoid any possibility of resale and proof be given thereof."

In March, on an episode of Fox Network's show, Red Eye, host Greg Gutfeld took it on the chin for belittling Canada's military, claiming the forces wanted to "to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants." He apologized after Canadian politicians, including Defence Minister Peter MacKay, spoke out, but pending appearances by Gutfeld in Edmonton were cancelled.

And in April, actor Billy Bob Thornton was run out of Canada for insulting the whole country with his observation on CBC radio's Q to host Jian Ghomeshi that Canadians are "mashed potatoes without the gravy." Thornton and his band, The Boxmasters, were booed out of Toronto the next day and they cancelled the rest of their Canadian tour.

In Clement's case, he is not a comedian, an irreverent clothing manufacturer, a nutty talk show host, or a goofy actor. He is the minister of a major economic portfolio.